Aero the Acro-Bat

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a game by Sunsoft, and Iguana
Genres: Action, Platformer
Platforms: Sega GenesisGenesis, SNESSNES, GBA
Editor Rating: 8/10, based on 10 reviews
User Rating: 6.6/10 - 7 votes
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Aero the Acro-Bat
Aero the Acro-Bat
Aero the Acro-Bat
Aero the Acro-Bat

At first glance, Sunsoft's new character looks more like a Mini Dracula than an adorable new hero. However, once you spend some time with him, Aero the Acro-Bat's as likeable as any plumber, kitty, or rodent.

The Trapeze, Please

This jump-and-search platform game's speckled with secrets and high-flying moves. The entire circus theme is done very well, from the story of the berserk clown Edgar Ektor to the backgrounds and ride attractions.

The game play shoots right out of cannon from the first Act. The action's mainly hop-and-bop, and Aero's able to jump, drill in four directions, and throw Stars. Aero's acrobatics are hard to get the hang of, so you'll occasionally drill up when you want to drill down, and vice versa.

ProTip: The only way you'll stop Edgar's show is to keep ahead of the Laser Beam in the final encounter. Buy yourself some extra time by taking Drill "shortcuts" up platforms, instead of climbing the ladders.

The fun really picks up in the occasional "ride" sequences, such as a slip-slidin' Flume, where Aero splashes down water slides. There are also plenty of small stunts and rides in the platform areas, including a Ferris wheel and a trapeze. Boss encounters and bonus stages round out the package.

You're invincible when you cruise down the tightrope atop the unicycle.

The star of the show is definitely the circus itself. Aside from the bosses, the drab and unimaginative enemies don't play much of a role in the action. You get three continues, but they don't get you very far.

Mode 7 Spotlight

Aero's graphics are crisp and clean, but the smallish sprites are less than you might expect from the SNES. The color palette was retouched from the Genesis version, but not overhauled. The only major difference is a Mode 7 bonus stage.

When you bungee jump, try to snare the keys on your bounce back up. If you go for the keys on your way down, you're spiked.

The music here is also richer than it is in the Genesis version, but those cute circus tunes will eventually get under your skin nonetheless.

  • When you jump to the rotating sun platforms, make sure not to touch the munchers, or you'll be bat snack food!
  • To make the long jumps in the Funpark, Act 2, you must hit Jump the moment you reach the edge of the ramps.

Greatest Show on Earth?

Well, it's not quite. Despite its imperfections, the length and depth of the game still offer prime game play. Aero's worth the price of admission.

Download Aero the Acro-Bat

Genesis

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Game modes: Single game mode

Player controls:

  • Up, Down, Left, Right - Arrow keys
  • Start - Enter (Pause, Menu select, Skip intro, Inventory)
  • "A" Gamepad button - Ctrl (usually Jump or Change weapon)
  • "B" button - Space (Jump, Fire, Menu select)
  • "C" button - Left Shift (Item select)

Use the F12 key to toggle mouse capture / release when using the mouse as a controller.

SNES

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Pentium II (or equivalent) 266MHz (500MHz recommended), RAM: 64MB (128MB recommended), DirectX v8.0a or later must be installed
GBA

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

Ladies, gentlemen and vidiots of all ages, direct your attention to the weird-lookin' dude with the wings and the radar -- Aero the Acro-Bat! If you're hankerin' for a madcap side-scrolling adventure, this little wingding has a high-octane platform performance you won't want to miss.

Aero packs enough acrobatics and excitement to make Mario, Sonic and Bubsy tip their caps in respect. He's a circus star who must stop evil Edgar Ektor and Zero the Acrobrat from sabotaging the World of Amusement Circus Show.

Bat for the Buck

The basic action is platform hop and bop, where Aero can Drill enemies or toss Stars at them. Interspersed throughout the game are tons of acrobatic activities that send Aero sliding down rivers, rolling across spike-covered mountains, bouncing on trampolines, coasting on a roller coaster or blasting out of cannons.

This bat-boy's controls are almost right on. You'll probably have trouble consistently nailing the Drill Attack, but otherwise Aero's a high flier and a smooth mover.

Big Top O'Trouble

The variety of Acts (25 in all) keep this fast-paced game hoppin' from start to finish. Aero's got his wings full against Edgar, Zero and their circle of circus saboteurs. You'll guide Aero through the Circus, the Funpark, the Woods and the Museum. Although the "audi-ence" in the background doesn't play an active role, you'll feel like part of a three-ring circus as you try to stop psycho performers like Bruno the Trapeze Artist and Bertha the Ballerina. Some antagonists have more lives than a cat and they reappear throughout the game. Repetition of obstacles and enemies does create occasional tedium, but overall there are enough wacky stunts to keep your interest piqued.

ProTip: If you have slow motion, use it in tricky Acts like The Woods, Act 2.

Each Act has a different objective. Some require that Aero merely survives a megaspeed ride to the goal, others make him search for a key, and still others have Aero bouncing on star-studded platforms. He'll also encounter a sprinkling of bonus stages and bosses, and a downpour of hidden rooms and secret passageways.

  • Jump to move up the flume In The Woods, Act 4.

You'd better be a pro player if you hope to crack this game, 'cause Aero's got only three continues. This game is so tough that Sunsoft is considering a contest for players who beat the game.

  • Press C to slide down ladders. (This isn't in the manual!)
  • If you're plummeting to the ground, press C to hover and you'll be able to scope out any danger below.

The odds aren't all impossible; however, as there are plenty of extra lives hidden in nooks and crannies.

Eyes to Center Ring

Aero pumps good-looking pix onto the screen. Aero's a small sprite, but he's well-animated and cute for his size. You get multi-scrolling backgrounds, but the detail can't touch the best of the Genesis pack, such as Sonic The Hedgehog.

  • Drill Bruno to free up space on the trapeze.
  • To snag the key in the Circus, Act 2, use this cannon at three-quarters strength and angle yourself to the left. The cannon is located in the bottom -- left corner of the Act.

As for sound, Aero's tunes are classic circus melodies. The songs loop very quickly, so you'll learn to whistle along.

  • Bonk the Funpark boss on the nose to mate him weep.
  • Use the Drill Attack to find secret passages.
  • Time your controller presses with the fluctuations of the wind currents in the Circus bonus stage.

Aerotic Adventure

Aero's another one of those jump-a-lot company mascots, but he won't drive you batty. This bat's got more tricks up his sleeve than a sideshow magician. Two wings up for Aero!

  • Machine: Genesis;
  • Manufacturer: Sunsoft; Iguana Entertainment

Batty About Aero

Hurry, hurry - step right up to see the amazing, the spectacular Aero the Acro-Bat. Watch him zip through hoops of fire! Observe as he blasts out of cannons! See him dive into water from phenomenal heights! Behold his amazing tightrope maneuvers!

Aero the Acro-Bat keeps you on the edge of your seat as you portray the world's first daredevil bat. Aero performs amazing feats even while fighting off villains from the Big Top ranging from a fire breather to a knife thrower. You say you want more? Then how about a grand finale that pits you against Edgar Ektor and his henchman Zero?

The Ringling brothers can eat their heart out - Sunsoft has pulled out all the stops on Aero the Acro-Bat, and the company has every right to be proud of the fuzzy adventurer. The game's graphics stack up with the best; Aero really moves with the grace and ease of a trapeze artist. So grab some cotton candy and popcorn - the greatest show on Sega is about to begin.

Creating A New Hero

Just what makes a Sonic so supersonic or a Mario so marvelous? That's a question a lot of video-game developers spend years trying to figure out. The fact is, for every Mega Man, Strider, or Simon Belmont that finds fame in the gaming world, there's a Spanky or Little Samson that never quite made it to the big time.

When Sunsoft wanted to launch a new running character, the job fell to developer David Siller. In turn, the Aero was designed by Siller's 20-year-old son, Justin.

"I play games all the time," David Siller says. "I've probably played more console and coin-op games than anyone in North America. At Sunsoft, we're all gamers - we play games every day. We know what goes into making a game, and we try to make games with mass appeal."

Whether or not Aero makes it to the big leagues remains to be seen, but Sunsoft is already planning new adventures for the bat and his pals. We hear that the Acro-Brat is up next, but keep reading for the latest details.

Flying Over To Snes

When the Super NES version of Aero walks the tightrope of competition, players will see that it's practically identical to the Genesis game. The graphics and action are the same - OK, the graphics may be a little brighter and a little more detailed in the SNES game - and even the soundtrack uses the same type of lively circus themes.

The only real difference we saw was in a bonus round in World 1. In the SNES version, the scene is not unlike Pilotwings when the paratroopers dive through hoops, full of scaling and rotation. The Genesis version has Aero diving into water from a high platform.

  • # of players: 1
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Theme: Action
  • Available: 1993
  • Levels: 25

It's time for another mascot game to come into existence! Enter Aero the Acro-Bat from Sunsoft! This little spunky guy is full of tricks to stop the sinister Ektor from ruining the show with his cruel ideas of practical jokes. Like many other mascot games, expect this one to have vast levels filled with all kinds of surprises. But unlike other carts of this genre, Aero goes alI-out with originality - by having to perform circus stunts to get through the rough big top! Having to execute high dives, cannon ball body shots, trapeze swinging, and many other forms of circus stunts will keep you busy while trying to locate the specific things that you need to do in order to beat the sections. Some examples of level goals will be turning on the circus lights, destroying star bricks, or even rescuing Ariel, your partner in the big top. And while you are doing all of these things, you will be accompanied by a soundtrack that is truly hysterical, a goofy crazy clown music selection that are all renditions of popular carnival and circus themes! If you're saying to yourself that you are just sick to death of Sonic the Hedgehog rip-offs then you should check out this unique high-thrills cart!

  • Release: 1993
  • Levels: 5+

People say:

9

Aero is one of the most creative games I've seen. The circus-type levels are colorful and the game is fun to play, which is how things should be. There's something new on every level and the controls are good. There are a lot of icons to find and places to explore. The game gets very tough early on and it takes practice and memorization to advance. If you're looking for a good action cart, you'll like Aero.

8

Aero joins the ranks of the mascot titles and comes through as a winner. This game isn't a mindless rip off of other games, it actually has technique. Each level has you accomplishing different tasks for even more variety. The music is also worth mentioning. It's a compilation of popular circus tunes that really add to the humor and fun of the game. Aero the Acro-Bat is definitely above the normal action games.

8

It's very difficult to come into the market with a great platform game, but Sunsoft's Aero is a rare gem. This has some of the most impressive graphics I've seen. The near-perfect calliope music really sets the tone of the game and gets you into it as well. There are tons of out-of-the way areas to get to and find. The game play is very good and responsive with his double-jump-spin attack. I dig this game!

8

Aero has got a lot to offer. There is plenty of technique and the controls meet the task at hand. Cute cartoon and circus graphics add a fresh touch. The levels are big with lots of icons and extra areas to explore. The backgrounds have nice scrolling and the sound are also right up there. An addicting game on the order of Sonic. The new cuddly character of the '90s is Aero the Acro-Bat.

Aero is still one spunky bat (and is he cute kiddies? YES!), even on the Genesis! The absence of the excellent music found on the Super NES version is a drawback, but Aero is still a hit! The levels are huge and challenging.

If you thought Bruce Wayne was the only bat with an attitude, wait until Aero takes the stage. Aero's a master acrobat who thrills circus audiences with amazing flips and daredevil flying. He's tough. He's cool. He's loveable. And he's got to save the circus from an evil industrialist and a kamikaze squirrel, which both were banned from the circus and are out for revenge. Aero may also be getting his own cartoon series. Stay tuned for details.

You play as bat Aero, who have to stop the mad scientist Edgar Ektor, who is trying to rid the world of amusement and fun. So you jump through the circus-style levels, using different kinds of machines such as catapults, cannons, bubble machines, platforms, etc., collecting various power-ups such as cheese, soda, keys, clocks, etc. and avoiding lethal obstacles.

The levels are played in typical 2D platforming, but in order to clear levels, the player must accomplish certain tasks so that the exit warp can be revealed. Those tasks include passing through hoops, step on platforms until they disappear, ride roller coasters, etc. There are 4 worlds with 5 levels each one, and the levels are big, many of them with some awkward positioned spikes that kill instantly.

Aero can attack by shooting limited stars, or by doing an aerial diagonal drill attack at his target (when he is in the air).

Aero the Acro-Bat is a game released by Sunsoft on October 1993. It was created by David Siller (of Maximo: Ghosts to Glory fame) and developed by the now defunct Iguana Entertainment. Inspired in part on the "mascots with attitude" feeling that was common with characters like Sonic the Hedgehog, it featured a red bat named Aero, who works and lives in a circus. He must defend the circus from an evil clown called Edgar Ektor, who used to work in the same circus and wants revenge, and his sidekick Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel.

The levels in Aero the Acro-Bat game are played in typical 2D platforming, but in order to clear levels, the player must accomplish certain tasks so that the exit warp can be revealed. Those tasks include passing through hoops, step on platforms until they disappear, ride roller coasters, etc. There are 4 worlds with 5 levels each one, and the levels are big, many of them with some awkward positioned spikes that kill instantly.

Aero can attack by shooting limited stars, or by doing an aerial diagonal drill attack at his target (when he is in the air).

Have a blast as Aero, a red bat who defends the wacked out circus, fun-park where he lives and works. This SNES and Mega Drive / Genesis game released on October of 1993 by Sunsoft is a 16-bit console that combines crazy characters with numerous enemies, especially Aero’s arch nemesis Edgar Ektor, who is an evil ex-clown from the same circus. Edgar’s ultimate goal is to shut down the circus forever. As Aero fights to save the park, he must blast out of cannons, dive through hoops of fire, as well as, venture up and down a treacherous roller coaster. The game includes a total of four worlds and five different levels that play in the typical 2D platform. In order to locate the exit warps on each level, the player must accomplish certain required tasks. Many of the large levels contain spikes positioned in such a way that they kill the character instantly. However, Aero does possess the ability to attack his enemies with a limited amount of stars or by doing an aerial diagonal drill attack in the air, toward his target.
With stellar graphics and non-stop wild features, this game is sure to please game goers of all ages.

Snapshots and Media

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Screenshots

SNES/Super Nintendo/Super Famicom Screenshots

GBA Screenshots

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